The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-09-09
BLUE RIDGE HEALTH RE-
SORTS.
HIGHLANDS
The Gem of the Mountains.

Health and summer resorts are
growing in numbers and popularity
each succeeding year. Many of the
seaside resorts on the Atlantic have
grown into considerable cities, while
inland places, Saratoga. the White
Mountains, Adirondacks, the lakes
of Minnesota, (and even far away
Alaska) are drawing heavy stream
of summer tourists, mainly pleasure
seekers; which steadily swells in vol.
ume every succeeding year. From
the heated Atlantic and Gulf states
of the South half million people
migrate every summer to seek cooler
climes, while the dog star RACES"
The question is asked why do
these people in the South make long
journeys to seek cooler air in north
ern states, when ridge of mount
aims whose peaks pierce the air 5000
and 5000 feet above the sea, is stretch
ed along the borders of these SUI
perheated states, and almost in sight
of their homes? Because their praises
are not sung by interested parties
who have organized to make large
sums of money by directing thous-
ands of summer travellers and per
sons seeking health to these distant
resorts, where cool, pure air and wa
ter can be enjoyed, while far SUI
perior climate almost at their very
door remains comparatively I'M
known.
The Blue Ridge mountains poss-
ess more inducement to health and
pleasure seekers than any other quar-
ter of the United States. But their
praise has not been trumpet tongued
like that of other chimes.
The south western Blue Ridge Of
North Carolina is pre-eminently a
health and recuperative country,
where tired humanity can enjoy the
most soothing rest; where the inva-
lid finds balm for weak lungs and
nerves in an air that is soft and
mild, with no chill in its breath,
The scenery of this region is not
surpassed in variety and beauty by
any other part of the country. The
lofty mountain peaks easily access
ible by delicate persons, sheer pre-
cipices grand views bounded by the
far distant horizon, deep gorges,
tumbling and sparkling water falls,
all may be enjoyed in the course of
morning from the top of Whiteside
or Satula mountains, which over
look the states of South Carolina
and Georgia fifty to seventy five
miles. At the base of these noun
tains lies the little town of High :
lands, Macon Co., nesting in aplateau
surrounded by a rim of mountains
whose crystal streams flows down and
through the town.
Among the many resorts of the
Blue Ridge for health, fine scenery
and pleasure the town of Highlands
is destined to surpass them all in the
near future. The lack of railroad
accommodation is the only obstacle
which prevents this spot from as
suming the title of the gem of the
Blue Ridge. The summer tempera-
ture ranges in the middle Of the day
steadily at 100 the point marked on
the thermometer as Summer Heat
seldom rising to 800 or $50. A seat
on the varanda, in the parlor or un-.
der shade treeis always delightfully."-
cool and pleasant on the hottest day.
A mountain breeze from the west is
ever stirring with gentle tanning
motion, which bears healing on its
wings, which makes the pulse beat
strong and full and every nerve thrill
with new life. The water which
gurgles from the crystal springs is
soft, pure and cold, marking 500 on
the thermometer summer and winter.
The green woods which cover these
mountains from base to summit keep
the air ever pure and clean. No
dust, no malaria can ever reach these
aerial currents to contaminate the
atmosphere.
These mountains are The first bold
outline which the upper currents
from the Atlantic touch in their
course inland and the showers pre-.
cipitated carry down to the streams
every vestige of decaying matter
that might contaminate the air; and
miasmatic germs stealing up from
the heated country below are met
by the frequent and copious noun
tain showers, carried into the streams
and hurried back again to their low
land homes.
AS a place of rest and recu.
peration we have never visited
any other that will compare with
the climate of the Blue Ridge;
and visitors who have tried the var
ious resorts among these mountains
invariably give Highlands the first
place in beauty, extent and variety
of mountain scenery, and invigorat-
ing climatic influence. There is a
peculiar bra cling, elastic virtue in the
o. Af thiC t>1ofoo,, ,,ok Al.